Slip to close major Wellington road for days

Ngaio Gorge Rd will be closed for several days while workers attempt to stabilise and clear a large slip. Photo / Wellington City Council

A large slip blocking access to Wellington from western suburbs will close the road for several days.

Workers are attempting to stabilise and clear a large landslip on Ngaio Gorge Rd.

The landslide has grown significantly overnight since the first material came down off a steep bluff and closed the road early on Saturday morning, said Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean.

Looks a whole lot worse this morning... pic.twitter.com/e5EYuxyYVT

— Simon Coggins (@simoncoggins) July 29, 2017

"The road is now completely covered by large boulders and rubble."

Motorists are urged to use other routes such as the Ngauranga Gorge, Onslow Rd and Churchill Dr via Wadestown.

The nearby - very narrow - Old Porirua Rd has been temporarily closed to through traffic due to congestion and safety problems. It will remain open to residents.

Geotechnical experts and abseilers have been examining the landslip site this morning - and there are plans to bring a 20-tonne digger on to the site this afternoon.

The machine will be used to bring unstable material off the slip face before work starts to clear the roadway.

Meanwhile, a large slip that was blocking most of State Highway 2 in the Rimutaka Gorge has been cleared. Residents have been evacuated from homes on Evans Bay Parade and Devon St after separate slips threatened the properties.